Vibrating toothbrush attachment

ABSTRACT

A vibrating cap attachment for an electric toothbrush for use as a sexual aid. The preferred embodiment of the cap includes knob-like protrusions on the top for enhanced sexual stimulation and a bore on the bottom for receiving the brush head and bristles of a standard electric toothbrush.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to the field of vibrating devices used for sexualstimulation. More specifically, the invention comprises a molded capwhich can be attached over the bristles of an electric toothbrush.

2. Description of the Related Art

The use of sexual aids such as vibrators of various designs andconfigurations is known in the prior art. These devices are typicallyphallic in shape (although unconventional shapes are also employed inthe prior art) and are commonly used to stimulate the erogenous zones ofthe body including the external and internal genitalia. Some sexual aidsemploy a vibrating mechanism to increase the sexual stimulation providedby the device. These sexual aids are often referred to as vibrators.

It is often desirable for a vibrator to be transportable so that theuser can bring the device with them when they travel. Since conventionalvibrators employ internal batteries and a motor to create the vibratingmotion of the device, the devices can be discovered during luggagescreening at airports and in other places where luggage screening isemployed. The discovery of a vibrator in these circumstances can createan uncomfortable and embarrassing situation for people who prefer tokeep their use of sexual aids private.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention overcomes the problems of the prior art byproviding a vibrating device which is discreet and transportable. Theinvention comprises a molded plastic cap which is adapted to fit overthe bristles of the head of an electric toothbrush. The cap featuresknob-like protrusions for enhanced stimulation.

In one embodiment, the cap features a groove for secured attachment ofthe cap to the toothbrush.

Another embodiment provides for the use of an adhesive for permanentattachment of the cap to the toothbrush.

The invention provides all of these features, advantages, and objectsalong with others that will become apparent with reference to thefollowing description and accompanying

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view, showing an electric toothbrush.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view, showing the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a top view, showing the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view, showing the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a bottom view, showing an alternate embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view, showing the present invention attached toan electric toothbrush.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view, showing an alternate embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view, showing an alternate embodiment of thepresent invention attached to an electric toothbrush.

REFERENCE NUMERALS IN THE DRAWINGS

10 cap 12 top 14 knobs 16 bore 18 counterbore 20 compartments 22 ridges24 lip 26 grip 28 wand 30 brush head 32 bristles 34 sidewall 36 bottom38 electric toothbrush 40 knob-to-knob distance 42 brush-head seat 44groove

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A conventional electric toothbrush is shown in FIG. 1. Electrictoothbrush 38 is generally composed of grip 26 and wand 28. Aside fromserving as means for holding the toothbrush while a user brushes theirteeth, grip 26 also serves as a housing for an internal motor and powersupply. Most electric toothbrushes are powered by replaceable batteries,but some have an internal rechargeable power source. Grip 26 alsogenerally features an on/off switch which allows the user to actuate theinternal motor.

Wand 28 is attached to grip 26. Wand 28 includes brush head 30 andbristles 32. In most electric toothbrushes, wand 28 and grip 26 aredetachable, so that the user can replace wand 28 when bristles 32 becomeworn. Wand 28 also houses a transfer (not shown) that converts themotion created by the internal motor of electric toothbrush 38 into anoscillating motion in brush head 30. In most electric toothbrushes, thehead does not spin only in one direction. Instead most brush heads ofelectric toothbrushes oscillate having alternating positive and negativeangles of rotation. Conventional electric toothbrushes typically have arange of angular rotation from +/−20° to +/−100°.

A vibrating cap for attachment to an electric toothbrush is shown inFIG. 2. Cap 10 has sidewall 34 and top 12. Cap 10 can be made of rubber,latex, plastic or other nonallergenic varieties f polymers by theprocess of injection molding. Sidewall 34 is substantially cylindricalin shape having circular cross section, however other shapes could alsobe used. Top 12 features three knobs 14 which serve to enhance sexualstimulation by concentrating the pressure and motion of cap 10 toseveral discrete points on the user. Although any number andconfiguration of knobs can be used, three knobs placed in an equilateraltriangle formation is believed to be particularly effective for thedesired stimulation.

FIG. 3 shows the topographical layout of a preferred embodiment. Top 12is shown with three knobs 14. Although cap 10 can be any size, thepreferred range for the diameter is 1.5 cm to 3.0 cm. Knobs 14 areillustrates in FIG. 3 as half spheres although other shapes can also beused for knobs 14 such as cylinders, rounded cylinders, rectangularprisms, pyramids, and cones. Although knobs 14 can be any size, thepreferred range for the diameter is 0.5 cm to 1.5 cm. An equilateraltriangular formation with knob-to-knob distances 40 in the range of 0.5cm to 1.5 cm is also preferred.

FIG. 4 shows the molded cap from the bottom. Bottom 36 of cap 10 hasbore 16. In the preferred embodiment, bore 16 terminates near the top ofcap 10. Bore 16 is preferably sized to receive bristles 32 of electrictoothbrush 38 which is typically in the range of 1 cm to 1.5 cm.Counterbore 18 is also provided in bottom 36 of cap 10. The differencein diameter of counterbore 18 and bore 16 forms brush-head seat 42 whichmates with brush head 30 of electric toothbrush 38 when bristles 32 areinserted into bore 16.

A bottom view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention isshown in FIG. 5. Cap 10 has two perpendicularly-situated ridges 22 inthe bottom of bore 16. Ridges 22 create four compartments 20 in thebottom of bore 16. When bristles 32 are inserted into bore 16 and brushhead 30 is mated with brush-head seat 42, bristles 32 separate into thefour compartments 20. Ridges 22 provide a surface for bristles 32 toengage when electric toothbrush 30 is switched on, thereby transferringthe motion of brush head 30 and bristles 32 to cap 10.

Motion of brush head 30 and bristles 32 can also be transferred to cap10 by the use of an adhesive applied to bristles 32, brush head 30, bore16, and/or counterbore 18. The adhesive works to permanently affix thecomponents of cap 10 to brush head 30, thereby insuring transfer ofmotion between the two parts. Any adhesive known in the art can be usedto attach the components including glues, epoxies, silicone-basedadhesives, and acrylic resins.

FIG. 6 shows the cap attached to the electric toothbrush. Cap 10 andelectric toothbrush 38 are attached by the insertion of bristles 32 intobore 16 of cap 10. As illustrated in FIG. 6, knobs 14 face away frombrush head 30. Cap 10 has counterbore 18 (not shown here) so that brushhead 30 also fits inside of cap 10, and the back side of brush head 30is relatively flush with bottom 36 of cap 10.

FIG. 7 shows an alternate embodiment of the cap. Cap 10 featurescounterbore 18 and partial-annular lip 24. The addition of lip 24creates groove 44 in the counterbored region beneath lip 24. Groove 44helps prevent the accidental detachment of cap 10 from electrictoothbrush 38 when the two are attached.

FIG. 8 shows the alternate embodiment of the cap attached to an electrictoothbrush. Knobs 14 again face away from brush head 30. Bottom 36 isgenerally flush with the back side of brush head 30 except for lip 24which overlaps brush head 30 thereby securing cap 10 to the brush.

The preceding description contains significant detail regarding thenovel aspects of the present invention. It is should not be construed,however, as limiting the scope of the invention but rather as providingillustrations of the preferred embodiments of the invention. As anexample, variations in the number, shape, or configuration of theknob-like protrusions can be employed without altering the function ofthe invention. Thus, the scope of the invention should be fixed by thefollowing claims, rather than by the examples given.

1. An attachment for an electric toothbrush, said electric toothbrushhaving an oscillating brush head and a plurality of bristles attached tosaid brush head, said attachment comprising: a. a molded cap, saidmolded cap having a top portion, a sidewall, and a bottom portion; b.wherein said bottom portion has a bore, said bore terminating at aterminal end proximal to said top portion; c. wherein said bore is sizedto receive said plurality of bristles of said electric toothbrush; andd. wherein said top portion has at least one knob-like protrusionsdistal to said bore.
 2. The attachment of claim 1 wherein said bottomportion further comprises a counterbore, said counterbore sized toreceive said brush head of said electric toothbrush.
 3. The attachmentof claim 1, wherein said terminal end of said bore further comprises aridge, said ridge having a height tall enough to engage said pluralityof bristles of said electric toothbrush when said molded cap is attachedto said brush head of said electric toothbrush.
 4. The attachment ofclaim 2, wherein said terminal end of said bore further comprises aridge, said ridge having a height tall enough to engage said pluralityof bristles of said electric toothbrush when said molded cap is attachedto said brush head of said electric toothbrush.
 5. The attachment ofclaim 1, wherein said molded cap further comprises an adhesive, saidadhesive applied inside said bore of said molded cap.
 6. The attachmentof claim 2, wherein said molded cap further comprises an adhesive, saidadhesive applied inside said bore of said molded cap.
 7. The attachmentof claim 3, wherein said molded cap further comprises an adhesive, saidadhesive applied inside said bore of said molded cap.
 8. The attachmentof claim 4, wherein said molded cap further comprises an adhesive, saidadhesive applied inside said bore of said molded cap.
 9. The attachmentof claim 1, wherein said bottom portion of said molded cap furthercomprises a partial annular lip adapted to overlap at least a portion ofsaid brush head of said electric toothbrush when said plurality ofbristles of said electric toothbrush are inserted into said bore of saidcap.
 10. The attachment of claim 2, wherein said bottom portion of saidmolded cap further comprises a partial annular lip adapted to overlap atleast a portion of said brush head of said electric toothbrush when saidplurality of bristles of said electric toothbrush are inserted into saidbore of said cap.
 11. The attachment of claim 3, wherein said bottomportion of said molded cap further comprises a partial annular lipadapted to overlap at least a portion of said brush head of saidelectric toothbrush when said plurality of bristles of said electrictoothbrush are inserted into said bore of said cap.
 12. The attachmentof claim 4, wherein said bottom portion of said molded cap furthercomprises a partial annular lip adapted to overlap at least a portion ofsaid brush head of said electric toothbrush when said plurality ofbristles of said electric toothbrush are inserted into said bore of saidcap.
 13. The attachment of claim 5, wherein said bottom portion of saidmolded cap further comprises a partial annular lip adapted to overlap atleast a portion of said brush head of said electric toothbrush when saidplurality of bristles of said electric toothbrush are inserted into saidbore of said cap.
 14. The attachment of claim 6, wherein said bottomportion of said molded cap further comprises a partial annular lipadapted to overlap at least a portion of said brush head of saidelectric toothbrush when said plurality of bristles of said electrictoothbrush are inserted into said bore of said cap.
 15. The attachmentof claim 7, wherein said bottom portion of said molded cap furthercomprises a partial annular lip adapted to overlap at least a portion ofsaid brush head of said electric toothbrush when said plurality ofbristles of said electric toothbrush are inserted into said bore of saidcap.
 16. The attachment of claim 8, wherein said bottom portion of saidmolded cap further comprises a partial annular lip adapted to overlap atleast a portion of said brush head of said electric toothbrush when saidplurality of bristles of said electric toothbrush are inserted into saidbore of said cap.
 17. The attachment of claim 6, wherein said topportion of said molded cap has three knob-like protrusions.
 18. Theattachment of claim 12, wherein said top portion of said molded cap hasthree knob-like protrusions.
 19. The attachment of claim 1, wherein saidmolded cap is attached to said brush head of said electric toothbrush.20. The attachment of claim 2, wherein said molded cap is attached tosaid brush head of said electric toothbrush.